R.S.A. STILL NECESSARY, SAY RANGIORA MEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17830, 26 April 1926, Page 13

R.S.A. STILL NECESSARY, SAY RANGIORA MEN.

MANY BELIEVE NEED FOR EXISTENCE GONE, SAYS REPORT.

That quite a number of returned soldiers believed that the association was unnecessary now that they had settled down to civilian life, was the opinion of the committee as expressed in the report submitted to the annual meeting of the Rangiora Returned Soldiers’ Association held in the Northern. A .and P. Association’s Hall on Saturday night. . The idea was erroneous, continued the report, as the association was doing remarkably fine work unostentatiously. A tribute was paid to the services of the late Captain F. J. Horrell, as president of the association, and regret was expressed at his untimely end. During the past 3 r ear a number of successful card tournaments had been held, resulting in a credit balance of £1 18s 6d. Appreciation of the services of the ladies who assisted in the sale of poppies on Poppy Day was expressed with a desire that they should be the guests of the association at a social in the near future. Thanks were also due to all who had co-operated in the Anzac Day services* The report concluded by appealing to the members to support the association and 'to endeavour to increase the membership.

Before proceeding with the business, Mr J. W. Macleod, who presided over a large attendance of members, referred to the death of the president, Captain F. J. Ilorrell, those present standing in silence as a mark of respect. The balance-sheet read by the secretary, Mr W. R. Pike, showed the income to have been £ll3 14s 7d, and the expenditure £76 10s 3d. The assets were set down at £7l 14s 4d and the liabilities at £7 16s.

A welcome was accorded to the representatives of the borough and county councils and other local organisations, and was briefly acknowledged. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr C. J. Devlin; vicepresidents, Messrs W. Gardiner, J. W. Macleod and J. Marshall; committee, Messrs F. W. Reynolds, J. Wood, F. Low, F. Hunt, T. Shankland, L. W. Menzies, A. J. Breach, A. Tweedie, C. E. Bell, E. Ellis and H. K. Kippenberger; advisory committee, Messrs J. C. Thompson, W. Gardiner, C. J. Devlin and J. Marshall; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. R. Pike. Eleven members and thirteen honorary members were elected. At the conclusion of the business a toast-list was honoured. Following the Loyal toast, Mr J. W. Macleod proposed “ The Mayor and Borough Councillors,” to which the Mayor, Mr R. M’lntosh, and Councillor C. I. Jennings responded. “The Rangiora County Council ” was proposed by Mr G. M’Alpine, the county clerk, Mr J. Marshall, responding. The president, Mr C. J. Devlin, replied to the toast of “ The Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by the Mayor. Other toasts were “ The Ladies ” and “ The Press.” Items were contributed by Messrs F. W. Reynolds, J. Wood and F. Meyer, Mr J. C. Thompson playing the accompaniments.